With iDave busy cosying up to the Japanese this week, can it be long before white smoke emerges from Tokyo over the IEP?

Whilst almost universally loathed by the operating railway there are those who continue to wave the flag for the Incredibly Expensive Procurement (an extra-big hand please for Stu & Norm Bonkers).

Such is the enthusiasm of Marsham Street's very own Chuckle Brothers for the madcap scheme they appear to have prevailed upon the Treasury to procure the blessed things in tranches, judging by this from the DfT:

The Department hopes to reach financial close for the Great Western phase of the deal in spring 2012. Financial close for the East Coast phase of the IEP is scheduled for 2013.

Happily of course there is no hint that financial close will take place before bidders sign up for the new GW & EC franchises, as that would drive a coach and horses through Government undertakings that rolling stock decisions should be left to Train Operators rather than Whitehall.

No matter.

In happier news, a reader has sent in the following picture, which allegedly fell from between the pages of an old rail atlas.

As a result, and with immediate effect, the nom de gare 'Beau Bowker' has been withdrawn.Pending a new appointment a temporary SNB Classificatioin has been allocated reflecting the subject's directorship of the Football League.

The new SNB Classification is Satirical Nomenclature/Boys' Comics/Sport/Football.Therefore, and until further notice, Mr Bowker should now be referred to as 'Ricky of the Rovers'.That is all.